Peyton Wins Third MVP Award

Brett Favre wins in Vikings debut, but passes for only 110 yards

(NEWSER) - The Giants' $85 million upgrade on defense paid off today, as New York held the Washington Redskins to one touchdown in a 23-17 win, the New York Daily News reports. In other NFL action:

• Brett Favre won in his Vikings debut, but threw for only 110 yards as Minnesota beat the Cleveland Browns 34-20, ESPN reports.

But he may practice in December

(NEWSER) - Peyton Manning may recover from surgery quickly enough to practice with the Colts by December, but the team doesn’t expect him to actually take the field until next season, owner Jim Irsay told a breakfast for Super Bowl donors this morning, according to the Indy Star . But the AP reports that he seemingly backtracked moments later—perhaps in the interest of keeping fans' attention this season—tweeting: "I didn't say Peyton out 4season FOR SURE,keeping him on ActiveRoster n taking it month by month/Outside chance of return n December possible." More»

Colts QB has more neck surgery, will be out months if not longer

(NEWSER) - Peyton Manning's season is in jeopardy after he had to have his third neck operation in two years, reports ESPN . The Colts QB will be out at least two to three months, though the team is downplaying the seriousness and says it expects him to return at some point. At Sports Illustrated , however, Will Carroll says the recovery time for this procedure—something called a "single level anterior fusion"—is typically up to a full year, and he suggests it's possible the great No. 18 has played his last game. More»

New Orleans makes upset look easy as Indy receivers go AWOL

(AP) - The New Orleans Saints stymied Peyton Manning, then intercepted him to seal the Super Bowl, rallying to beat the Indianapolis Colts tonight in Miami, 31-17. Tracy Porter intercepted a pass from Manning and sprinted 74 yards for a touchdown and a 31-17 lead with 3:12 left. Playing in the Super Bowl for the first time, the Saints went on a 31-7 run after falling behind 10-0 early. More»

Colts' QB has chance to add to his legend tonight

(NEWSER) - The Indianapolis Colts ride into tonight's Super Bowl as 5-point favorites, and star QB Peyton Manning is no small reason why. His stats romp all over Tom Brady (minus Brady's three SB rings), he's the brainiest player in an era of complex defenses, and his owner has promised him the richest contract in NFL history. But as Indy guns for its second title in Manning's 12 seasons, the New York Times wonders: Certainly Manning is the dominant player of his generation, but is he the best ever? More»